Mill B South Interpretive Trail - Winter

I didn’t know what this particular trail was called until doing a little research. Even though I have done most of it several times on my way up to Lake Blanche. It is a great paved trail following Big Cottonwood Creek up to a neat little set of cascades at the end. From my research it looks like the ‘interpretive’ stuff is soon to come. I decided to add this to our winter adventure to Hidden Falls and it turned out to be a great winter adventure.

Quick Details:

Length: About a mile to the cascades
Difficulty: DR2. It is paved with a slight incline.
Elevation Gain: Not sure, not too much though.
Restroom: Yes, there is a restroom at the trailhead. It is not open in the winter though.
Dogs? No. Big Cottonwood Canyon is watershed so dogs are not allowed.
Extra Info: Paved means well, pretty much nothing in the winter. Good winter boots and a hiking pole are recommended.

To get here, drive approximately 4.4 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon to the big S curve. Park in the lower (south) parking area and hike up past the restrooms.

Looking down Big Cottonwood Canyon from the S curve.

Looking up towards Mill B South.

Mill B South parking lot. Closed for the season, so find street parking.

Big Cottonwood Creek.

It is absolutely amazing up here in the winter!

Small waterfall next to the Lake Blanche Trailhead. I like that it made a fun ice tunnel.

This is as far as I have been on this trail before, and the previously very high travelled trail thins out quite a bit. The regular winter boots and hiking poles are doing great for the Interpretive Trail, but I think we would need better equipment to hike to Lake Blanche with all this snow! No Matter, I am having a great time, time to see what else is up here.

Fun tree roots.

Snowy trees.

So, I can’t tell for sure with all the snow, but it appears the paved pathway might end somewhere about here. I would have to confirm on a warmer day, but I don’t think it is paved all the way to the cascades.

And the cascades at the end. I don’t know if they are named, but I am just going to go with Mill B Cascades.

Neat icicles.

With a view of the mountains above.

Someone made a snow angel.

Well these are some nice cascades, and I am glad we found them. I always wondered if there might be some near here considering how quickly the S curve brings you up. Not the best cascades by any mean, but still very nice. Time to head on back.

Snowy woods.

Big Cottonwood Creek.

Snow covered trees.

Back to the waterfall by the Lake Blanche Trail.

The Lake Blanche Trail. Looks like a lot of people brave the snow and head up that way. I might consider it one day, but definitely need better equipment.

Snow covered trees.

Clouds around the peaks.

Big Cottonwood Creek again.

Thick snowflakes sticking to my arm.

Ice chandelier.

Peaks above again.

the creek near the parking lot.

Looking down Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Cliff icicles.

Heading down the canyon (Drive By Photography (DBP)).

My lens fog up from the temperature difference, but I like how this one came out (DBP).

Pretty snowy canyon (DBP).

Well that was a great short adventure! I finally managed to get out and explore, even with all the snow up here. Typically I avoid the canyons in winter, but now I see that I don’t need to, and I am glad I did. This short interpretive trail is a great winter adventure. 10 out of 10 Squirrels.

As for difficulty, During summer it would probably be a DR2, however I need to confirm that the trail is paved to the end. DR3 for winter.

Dogs are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon so leave Fido at home.